Curriculum · Pre-Algebra
Pre-Algebra
Variables, equations, inequalities, and the coordinate plane — symbolic reasoning as a precise, powerful language.
The Language of Algebra
Variables & Expressions
Naming unknowns, building expressions, and simplifying with intent.
- Translate words into expressions
- Simplify strategically
- Substitute and evaluate
Linear Equations Mastery
Solving is the easy part — the art is setting up. Word problems, systems in disguise, and clever substitutions.
- Model word problems with equations
- Solve linear equations fluently
- Spot when a substitution collapses a problem
prerequisite: variables-expressions
Inequalities & Bounding
Direction-flipping, chaining, and using inequalities to trap integer answers.
- Manipulate inequalities safely
- Chain bounds
- Trap integers between bounds
prerequisite: linear-equations-mastery
Absolute Value & Distance
Absolute value as distance; equations and inequalities by cases and by picture.
- Read |x−a| as distance
- Split into cases cleanly
- Solve graphically
prerequisite: inequalities-intro
The Plane
The Coordinate Plane
Points, slopes, lines, midpoints, distance — geometry with coordinates.
- Compute slope and distance
- Write line equations
- Use midpoints and intercepts
prerequisite: linear-equations-mastery
Modeling Word Problems
Age, work, motion, and mixture problems — one setup discipline for all of them.
- Define variables precisely
- Build equations from relationships
- Sanity-check with units
prerequisite: linear-equations-mastery